If you are planning to visit Lisbon for the first time, here is a list of the most interesting places in the Portuguese capital. Of course, this is not all that can be seen in Lisbon. I’ve been there four times already and each time I find something new and interesting. But for the first time, you can use this list of museums, monasteries, observation decks, and picturesque bridges in Lisbon.
Gironimush Monastery
This World Heritage Site is a marvel of Portuguese Gothic architecture. It was built in 1502 and is absolutely magnificent both inside and out. The construction of the monastery was made possible by profits from the spice trade. The traveler and explorer Vasco da Gama was involved in this, so his tomb is located at the entrance to the monastery. Inside, the monastery is simply unsurpassedly beautiful – walking through the galleries you feel like you’re in a Harry Potter fairy tale.
Belen Tower
The most famous monument in Lisbon, located in the eponymous district above the Tagus River. It once served as a lighthouse for ships setting sail in the 15th and 16th centuries and is now protected as a World Heritage Site. The tower looks like a small castle from a fairy tale and is a symbol of the age of discovery. It’s nice to come here in the evening to watch the sun go down into the ocean. Near the tower, they sell cold prosecco, a perfect combination of sunshine and white wine bubbles.
Alphama
Alfama is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Europe, and of course in Lisbon as well. It was once inhabited by traffickers, then occupied by the Romans, Visigoths, and other Germanic tribes before becoming the heart of Moorish Lisbon.
After the city was conquered by the first king of Portugal in 1147, the Moors left the area and Alfama became home to the upper classes. It was also a Jewish quarter until the Jews were expelled (along with all other non-Christians) in 1497.
As Lisbon expanded and built up, wealthy residents moved westward, leaving Alfama to the fishing community. In fact, it has remained a fishing quarter, with the delicious smell of fish, old ladies selling gingy from their windows, and clean sheets hanging on ropes. An endless staircase leads up to the Santa Luisia observation deck.
Santa Luisa observation deck
It’s a very nice place, but there are a lot of people here during the day. Come at dawn to see the beauty of this place. It is an incredibly picturesque place that consists of two levels – a landscaped upper level with lush bougainvilleas, decorated with tile panels, and a lower level with a reflecting pool. The pergola frames the perfect view of the domes and roofs of the Alphaeum, which descend the hill to the river.
Musicians often play on this romantic terrace next to a small church. You can also take very romantic photos here (though you’ll have to wait until other tourists do the same).
MAAT
The MAAT Museum – exhibitions related to contemporary art, architecture, and technology are held here. This iconic building with curved lines on the river bank is one of the symbols of Lisbon. Even if you don’t visit the art inside, you can stroll around this promenade. Or go up to the roof of the museum, which is an observation deck overlooking the April 25 Bridge.
Park of Nations – Parque das Nações
East Lisbon was transformed into a futuristic neighborhood by the Tagus River when it was chosen as the site of the 1998 World Expo. Today, it houses office and residential buildings, as well as one of the city’s biggest attractions, the Oceanarium, which brings together all the world’s ocean environments under one roof. From there, you can stroll along the pleasant promenade to the Vasco da Gama Bridge (the longest in Europe) and the Vasco da Gama Tower (the tallest building in the city).
Azulejo Tile Museum
The art of ceramic tiling dates back to ancient Egypt and is widespread throughout the Mediterranean. But nowhere else in the world has it developed as strongly or as creatively as in Portugal. The Portuguese Azulejo tiles became more than just geometric shapes decorating the walls. She also depicted historical and cultural scenes to cover palaces, street signs, and shops.
There is only one place on the planet where you can follow the history and evolution of this art form – the Lisbon Tile Museum. Located in a magnificent 16th-century monastery, it is the most beautiful museum in the city. It is a unique gallery with a collection of tiles that ranges from Moorish pieces from Seville to contemporary examples by contemporary artists. The magnificent church, covered in gold, also has a series of Dutch panels from the time when Europe began to imitate Chinese ceramics.
A monument of discoveries
This huge monument has the shape of a ship with figures of 33 people on board. The main figure is Prince Henry the Navigator, while other colossal sculptures belong to famous personalities associated with the Portuguese era of geographical discovery. These researchers are poet Luis de Camões and artist Nuno Gonçalves, among others. Inside, there are temporary exhibitions and an elevator that takes visitors to the terrace at the top, which offers breathtaking views of the neighboring monuments. Outside, on the ground, you can see a huge compass with a world map that traces the routes of Portugal’s maritime heroes.
Arch of Rua Augusta
The Arc de Triomphe, which once greeted those arriving in Lisbon by boat, now offers visitors one of the best views of the city from above. From the foot of its giant sculptures, located at the top of the arch, a bird’s-eye view of Lisbon’s largest square, the Praça Comédica, opens up.
Portas do Sol observation deck
From this terrace near the castle you can admire and take pictures of the most beautiful view of old Lisbon. This medieval part of the city looks more like a Mediterranean village or a Greek island than a capital. This is the same Alfama with white church towers, domes, and colorful houses falling down the hill to the waterfront. There are several good cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating in the neighborhood.
Santa Justa elevator
The monumental wrought-iron elevator, designed in the Neo-Gothic style by one of Gustave Eiffel’s students, was inaugurated in 1902 to facilitate the ascent of one of Lisbon’s hills. It connects the Baixa district (city center) with Chiado and Bairro Alto on the top of the hill. But now it is mainly a tourist attraction, as the top observation deck offers a panoramic view of the city.
Lx factory
The abandoned factory complex, which was built in 1846, has become one of the most fashionable places in Lisbon. In 2008, offices, shops, cafes, and restaurants appeared here. It is one of the most popular places for dinner and breakfast on weekends. In addition, there are open markets selling everything from local organic products to handmade goods, fashionable clothes and accessories. All interiors have retained industrial architecture and vintage decorative elements. The exterior looks like a real street art gallery decorated with graffiti.
Lisbon Cathedral
Lisbon Cathedral is the second oldest monument in the city after the castle. It is a sturdy building dating back to 1147, most of which survived the 1755 earthquake. Its monastery contains the archaeological remains of the city from the last 3000 years, and the treasury presents a collection of priceless sacred art. By the way, the Portuguese Camino de Santiago but most pilgrims follow it from Porto to cover a shorter distance faster.
Bika funicular
The hill that leads to Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo offers a perfect view of the river. But this street is one of the most photographed streets in Lisbon because of the magical funicular that runs here. Since 1892, it has been going up and down the hilly street, connecting the Bairu Alta district with the waterfront.
Its journey takes only 5 minutes and it carries up to 23 passengers, but now it is mostly used as a backdrop for selfies. By the way, this is not the only funicular in Lisbon – there are two more.
One is the Elevador da Glória, which leads from Svobody Avenue to the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara observation deck. The other is the Largo da Anunciada funicular, which takes you to a hill in the Gracia neighborhood, offering great views of Lisbon.
Ribeira market
Lisbon’s main market since 1892 became the city’s most popular dining destination in 2014, when the Time Out Lisboa food hall was added to the mix. It is a lively place from morning to evening, with stalls offering some of the most creative dishes from the city’s best chefs. They are enjoyed at communal dining room-style tables inside or outside, overlooking Don Luis I Square.
Christo Rey
The giant statue of Christ, standing on a high pedestal, was inaugurated on the riverbank in 1959. This monument is a way for the bishops to thank God for saving Lisbon from World War II. An elevator takes visitors to the terrace at the foot of the statue, which offers a panoramic view of almost the entire city and its surroundings, with the Bridge of April 25 crossing the Tagus River.
Karmo Monastery
The roof of this 14th-century church, which was the largest medieval building in Lisbon, collapsed during the 1755 earthquake, but its Gothic arches still stand. The monastery has never been restored to remind us of the disaster, but it remains one of the city’s most impressive monuments.
The former sacristy is a small archaeological museum with a diverse collection of treasures from Portugal and other countries. In particular, you can see a Visigothic column, a Roman tomb, and creepy South American mummies. Behind the building are the Terraços do Carmo, terraces currently occupied by a café and an open-air bar overlooking the castle and the Santa Justa elevator.
Vasco da Gama Bridge
Opened in 1998 as the longest bridge in Europe, it remains one of the largest in the world. It seems to almost disappear in the distance. And you can pass under it by following the promenade of the Parque das Nações district. Underneath it is a park where locals jog, bike, walk their dogs, and play soccer.
And very few tourists pose for selfies on the waterfront in front of the bridge. Near the waterfront stands a statue of Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess who became Queen of England by marrying King Charles II, who named the Queens borough of New York in her honor.
Pink Street
This street was named after the color of the sidewalk. But on the map, this pedestrian street is officially called Rua Nova do Carvalho. It is a very small street, but it is the epicenter of Lisbon’s nightlife. The New York Times even included it in the list of “12 Favorite Streets in Europe”. Throughout the week, street parties are held here, and locals and tourists alike attend to sit or stand with a glass of wine or cocktail at various bars.
Tropical botanical garden
If you only have time for one garden in Lisbon, check out the Tropical Botanical Garden next to the Jeronimos Monastery. It was created in 1906 to showcase exotic plants and trees from the Portuguese colonies. Now it is a beautiful and peaceful place to hide from the crowds of tourists in the neighborhood. Giant palm trees welcome visitors, as well as peacocks, ducks, geese, swans, and chickens. And other birds that walk along the paths and lawn, or swim in the pond.
How to plan a trip to Lisbon
Before you travel, prepare yourself by taking a few simple steps:
- Find hotels or apartments in Lisbon – Here I’ve written in great detail about the areas of Lisbon where you can choose a hotel or apartment. Choose the neighborhood and hotel you like and book from January 1 to March 31, 2023 with a 15% discount on Booking.com – Lisbon≫ .
- Check out the transportation options – trams, subways, buses, and car rental depending on where you plan to stay and where you want to travel from Lisbon.
- Discover the beaches of Lisbon – Here I also talked in great detail about the beaches around Lisbon if you are planning a summer vacation on the ocean.
- Plan one-day or multi-day itineraries in Portugal from Lisbon – to see Sintra, Cascais, Peniche, Obidos, and the famously big-wave Nazare.
Useful articles and links:
- Rota Vicentina – walking route in Portugal along the coastline near the Atlantic ocean
- Sintra – a big guide: the city and beaches
- Winter in Portugal – go to Lisbon!
- 10 destinations for a day trip from Lisbon
- Madeira – Itinerary for the 7 days
Find train tickets in Europe conveniently on Trainline
Booking of hotels and apartments – Booking.com
